Automatic electric time switch



Oct 29, 1940. B FLEGEL 2,219,589

AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC TIME SWITCH Filed Sept. 13, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l i n l, h 2 I IllIllllllliillllllllllllllllllll um [Hill-Ill ATTORNEY- Patented Oct. 29, 1940 2,219,589

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,219,589 AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC TIME SWITCH Benjamin F. Flegel, Racine, Wis. Application September 13, 1939, Serial No. 294,606 Claims. (01. 200-39) This invention relates to improvements in autional view of the upper portion of the switch tomatic electric time switches. mechanism;

Automatic time switches are employed to con- Fig. 5 is a plan view of the switch; trol electric circuits for the lights of store show Fig. 6 is a fragmentary front view of the switch 5 windows, sign boards, etc. Ordinarily a time in a position of adjustment different from that 5 switch will control one or two circuits, but for shown in Fig. 1;

two circuit control a single switch could only Fig. '7 is a fragmentary side view of the showing function to control the two circuits simultanein Fig. 6;

ously and identically. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary front view of the switch 10 It is, therefore, a general object of the present in still another position of adjustment; and

invention to provide a unitary electric time Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side view of the showswitch which will automatically independently ing in Fig. 8.

control two circuits in a plurality of combinations Referring to the drawings it will appear that of modes and sequences of operation. the numerals .l2 and I3 indicate respectively A further object of the invention is to provide front and rear plates, formed of insulating maan automatic time switch in which the contact terial, on and between which the switch mechaactuating members are put under compression nism is mounted. Said plates are held together prior to the operation of the same, so that when in spaced, parallel relation by transverse posts the same are operated they move quickly and or studs M. In practice the entire frame and forcefully. mechanism carried thereby may be enclosed by A further object of the invention is to provide a suitable casing (not shown) and the device is an automatic time switch in which the mechamounted vertically wherever convenient. nism may be manually operated at any time Mounted on the outer face of the rear plate without affecting the time control of the switch. I3 is an electric clock mechanism l5 which re- A further object of the invention is to provide ceives electricity from any convenient electrical a multipole, duel circuit electric time switch outlet (not shown) through circuit wires It. A which is extremely compact and simple mechandriven shaft in the clock mechanism l5 extends ically and having an operating mechanism which through the rear plate l3 and by means of a builds up power and ultimately releases the same series f reduction s designated generally by 30 with a minimum of effort and wear on the mcvthe numeral H, a clock dial shaft I8 is revolved ing rt in a clockwise direction. Said clock dial shaft A further object of the invention is to provide I8 is journ l ed in a Suitable bearing 9 and 8X- I an automatic time switch which is of very simple n s through he front pl te 12- construction, is strong and durable, is simple to Apertured inner ends Of a Series Of arms 35 adjust and operate, is inexpensive to manufacoperating hands are adjustably mounted on the ture and install, and which is well adapted for Outer extended Portion of the shaft I8 in ax ally th purposes t; forth, spaced relationship and between spacing and With the above and other objects in view, the clamping 0011a 11505 0- invention consists of the improved automatic S ctuat n rms 01 hands include first electric time switch, and its parts and combinacircut closing and p n m rs 2| and 22, tions as set forth in the claims, and all equivap e y, a co d c rcuit closing and openlents thereof. ing members 23 and 24, respectively. The shaft In the accompanying drawings in which the 18 also adjustably revolvably carries a clock dial same reference characters indicate the same 25 and the same is graduated in a c u terclockparts in all of the views: wise direction from 12 noon to 12 midnight on Fig. 1 is a front view of the improved time 180 degrees of the same, and on the other 180 switch with th parts in one position of addegrees the graduations extend from 12 midnight justment; to 12 noon. There are also suitable quadrant 50 Fig. 2 is a side view of the switch with the markings to represent ni h parts in the position of adjustment of Fig. l; and morning. The first circuit operating arms Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 2| and 22 are mounted adjacent the inner face 3-4 of Fig.2; of the dial 25, whereas the second circuit operat- Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse vertical secing arms 23 and 24 are mounted over the outer 55 face of the dial 25. The outer extremity of the shaft 18 is threaded and carries a winged nut 26. When this winged nut is released the dial and the various hands 2!, 22, justed on the shaft I B to properly position the same. When the nut 26 is tightened the dial and hands are clamped between the collars 20, and all of the members on the shaft l8 will then turn therewith. The ends of all of the arms 2|, 22, 23 and 24 extend beyond the periphery of the dial 25. The extremities of the arms 2| and 23 are beveled as at 2! and 23, and the outer extremities of the arms 22 and 24 are turned right-angtilarly inwardly, all for the purpose hereinafter to be disclosed.

The first circuit includes contact arms 21 and 28 secured to separated inner upper wall portions of the front plate l2. Circuit wires 29 and 30' have their extremities engaged by binding posts on the upper portions of the members 27 and 28, respectively. A spring metal switch element 3! is secured at its inner end to the lower angled portion of the member 2'! while its outer end is adapted to'make and break contact with the angled end of the element 28, whereby the first circuit is opened and closed automatically.

The second circuit includes contact arms 32 and 33 carried by spaced-apart portions of the inner upper wall of the rear plate I3. Circuit ments 32 and 33. A spring metal switch element 36, similar to the element 3|, is fixed at its rear end to the flanged portion of the contact element 32 and its free end is adapted to make and break contact with the flanged lower extremity of the element 33.

Extending through the front plate I 2, somewhat above the dial 25 and in vertical alinement with the shaft i8, is a squared shaft 31. inner end portion of the squared shaft 3'! is reduced and rounded as at 31' (see Fig. 4) and extends revolvably through a circular opening therefor in the rear plate [3. A screw 31 is threaded into said end portion of the shaft 37 to retain the same relative to the plate l3.

For the purpose of actuating the switch element 36 of the second circuit, a cam 38 is mounted on an inner portion of the squared shaft 31, a cen- 37 at the outer extremity of the collar 40 is a sleeve 4! which has a squared external portion to extend into a squared aperturein the central portion of a first circuit operating cam 42. A spacing collar 43 surrounds the sleeve 4! between the cam 42 and the inner face I2. extends revolvably through an therefor in theplate l2, and on a forwardly projecting portion of said sleeve, which is slightly squared, a first circuit operating disc 44 is mounted, the central portion of said disc having a squared opening to receive the extended squared portion of the sleeve 4|. A coiled spring 45 surenlarged opening other end'portion of the spring 45 extends freely outwardly as at 45. The central squared portion of a second circuit operating disc 46 is mounted on an outer end portion of the squared shaft 37 so as to turn directly therewith. Forwardly of the disc 46 said shaft portion carries a coiled spring 4'! which has one extremity bent has its inner extremity flanged outwardly so as to lie in the path of movement of the first circuit operating arms 2| and 22. The inner extremity of the lever 52 is likewise angled and flanged outwardly so as to lie in the path of movement of the second circuit operating arms 23 and 24.

circuit and are connected to the terminals 21 and 28 as previously described. Likewise the circuit wires 34 and 35 include the lights of the other circuit and are connected to the terminals 32 and 33. Although the switch is susare under par- The bell-crank levers 5| and 52 are held in said shoulder engaging positions by means of the springs 53 and 54.

With the operating discs thus positioned the squared shaft 31 and the sleeve 4f are turned so as to engage the eccentric projecting portions of the cams 38 and 42 with the forward under portions of the contact elements 36 and 3! whereby said elements are separated from the fixed contacts 33 and 28 respectively, and the circuits to the lights of the two store windows will be broken.

At this point it may be stated that notwithmay be manually manipulated so as to swing said levers to release the lugs 56 from the shoulders of the discs. Likewise extensions 46' and 44 on said discs provide means-whereby the discs may be manually turned in either direction.

With the condition shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, and with the setting of the mechanism as described, the several circuits are open and the lights in the windows are off. With the electric clock mechanism driving the dial 25 through the medium of the gears and shafts, said dial will turn slowly in a clockwise direction. When 3 oclock in the afternoon is reached the angled end of the arm 23 will engage the angled end of the inner bell-crank lever 5|, and as the movement of the dial continues said bell-crank lever will be moved so as to disengage its lug 56 from the shoulder 55 of the inner disc 44. This will be against the tension of the coiled spring 53 and as the other spring 45 for the disc 44 was under compression, said disc 44 will move in a clockwise direction-upon being released, to the position of Fig. 6. This movement of the disc 44 will cause an oscillation of the sleeve 4| in a clockwise direction and the cam 42, carried by said sleeve, will have its high point moved away from the switch element 3! so that said movable switch element will snap into contact with the fixed contact 28 whereby the first circuit will be closed and the lights in the window will light.

As the clock dial 25 moves toward 5 p. m. the extremity of the arm 23 will engage the lower angled end of the outer bell-crank lever 52 and it will similarly kick and move said bell-crank lever so as to disengage its lug 56 from the shoulder 55 of the disc 45. Hence, upon movement of the dial 25 beyond the position depicted in Fig. 6, the outer disc 45 will be released and will swing back to a position. coinciding with the position of the inner disc. As the outer disc 46 is mounted on the squared shaft 31 so as to turn the same, this movement of the disc will cause the cam 38 to move away from the spring contact element 36 of the second circuit, whereby said contact element will snap into engagement with its fixed element 33 and complete the circuit to the lights of the second show window.

The clock dial 25 will continue rotating until midnight is approached which is the time set for opening the circuit to the second show window. As the dial 25 with the superimposed arm 24 moves toward the midnight position, the end of the arm 24 will engage the extended portion 41' of the spring 4'! and move it toward the right as in Fig. 8, so as to put said spring under compression. The disc 46 was being retained in the position of Fig. 8 by virtue of the lug 56 of the bellcranl; lever engaging another shoulder on the disc slightly spaced from the shoulder 55. As the spring 41 is moved and compressed and as the arm 24 engages and moves the bell-crank lever 52, the lug 56 will move out of the shoulder against which it is then seated and it will ulti-- mately, when it is passed by the arm 24 after midnight, snap back and engage the shoulder 55 so as to hold the disc 46 in the position of Fig. 6. Further movement of the dial operates to remove the angled extremity of the arm 24 from the free end 41' of the spring 41 whereby said portion of the spring, being no longer required to be under tension, snaps back to its original position, or that of Fig. 1. At this stage of the operations, therefore, we have the second circuit open due to the fact that the last mentioned movement of the disc 46 on the shaft 31 has turned the shaft so as to engage the high portion of the cam 38 with the switch element 36 to hold said element in the raised position of Fig. '7.

As the clock dial 25 continues to turn, its second operating arm 22 will ultimately engage and compress the spring 45 of the inner disc 44. Also, 5 when 3 oclock is reached, the end of said arm 22 will kick the lower end of the inner bell-crank lever 5| so as to release its lug 55 from the advanced peripheral shoulder of the inner disc and the contracting force exerted by the spring 45 will turn the disc 44 so as to coincide with the disc 46 and its other shoulder 55 will then be engaged by the lug 56 of the bell-crank lever 51, after the arm 22 has cleared the extremity of said bell-crank lever and it has been permitted to 15 snap to the left by virtue of the spring 53. Also, the extended end of the spring 45 will ultimately be released by the arm 22 and all of the parts will r-eassume the position shown in Fig. 1. Under these conditions both of the circuits will be broken and this condition will continue throughout all of the morning hours and until 3 p. m. when the first circuit will be closed and the sequence of operations previously described will continue.

The foregoing explanation of the operation of the improved automatic time switch has relation to a certain proposed setting of the controlling hands. Many more combinations or schedules of operation are possible including the following operation of circuits:

First circuit on-second circuit onboth circuits off simultaneously.

Both circuits on simultaneously-first circuit off-second circuit off.

First circuit onsecond circuit on-first circuit off-sec0nd circuit off.

First circuit on-first circuit oil and simultaneously second circuit onsecond circuit off.

First circuit onfirst circuit offsecond circuit onsecond circuit off.

First circuit on-second circuit on-second circuit oil-first circuit off (this operation was described in detail above).

Several more schedules are mathematically possible and in addition, by setting the two on hands together and the two off hands together both circuits will operate simultaneously and act as a common single throw time switch, and in this arrangement there may be either a single or double pole wiring.

The improved time switch is a unitary structure of simplified and efficient mechanism which in effect will accomplish all of the functions of two separate switches. The present unitary switch controls two circuits selectively, independently, or simultaneously.

It is obvious that the improved time switch is automatic in its operation, but is also susceptible of manual manipulation when it becomes desirable. The device is furthermore positive and quick in its actions, is of unique and simple construction, and is well adapted for the purposes described.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. An automatic time switch, comprising a time mechanism having a movable time indicating dial, two pairs of adjustable arms moving with said dial, a movable switch element for controlling one electric circuit, a second movable switch element for controlling a second electric circuit, means between one pair of arms and the first switch element whereby movement of said arms with the dial will close and open said switch element, and means between the other pair of arms and the second switch element whereby movement of the latter pair of arms with the dial will close and open the second switch element, the means for actuating each switch element including a spring urged oscillatory member, an eccentric connected thereto and operated thereby, and a spring urged pivotal latch for temporarily holding the oscillatory member in either of several positions, the latch extending into the path of movement of one of the pairs of arms and being moved by engagement with the arms.

2. An automatic time switch, comprising a time mechanism having a movable time indicating dial, two pairs of adjustable arms moving with said dial, a movable switch element for controlling one electric circuit, a. second movable switch element for controlling a second electric circuit, means between one pair of arms and the first switch element whereby movement of said arms with the dial will close and open said switch element, means between the other pair of arms and the second switch element whereby movement of the latter pair of arms with the dial will close and open the second switch element, the means for actuating each switch element including a spring urged oscillatory member, an eccentric connected thereto and operated thereby, and a spring urged pivotal latch for temporarily holding the oscillatory member in either of several positions, the latch extending into the path of movement of one of the pairs of arms and being moved by engagement with the arms, the latch being manually manipulatable to permit oscillation of its oscillatory member and actuation of a switch independently of automatic operation of the members through normal movement of the time dial.

3. An automatic time switch, comprising a time mechanism having a movable time indicating dial, two pairs of adjustable arms moving with said dial, a movable switch element for controlling one electric circuit, a second movable switch element for controlling a second electric circuit, means between one pair of arms and the first switch element whereby movement of said arms with the dial will close and open said switch element, means between the other pair of cluding an oscillatory member, a cam moved thereby, a pivotal latch for temporarily holding the oscillatory member under tension in either of several positions, the latch extending into the path of movement of one of the pairs of arms and being moved by engagement with the arms, and means for putting the oscillatory members under compression during portions of the range of travel of the time dial.

4. A time switch for controlling a pair of independent circuits, comprising two switches having yielding contact members, an oscillatory tubular shaft having a cam thereon cooperable with the contact member of one of said switches to move the same into and out of circuit closing position, a second shaft oscillatable within said tubular shaft and carrying an outwardly extending cam cooperable with the contact member of the other switch to move the latter into and out of circuit closing position, an oscillatory disc on each of said shafts, movable clock mechanism, spring urged pivotal latch members independently engageable with separated portions of the disc members for temporarily holding the same in either of several positions, and means controlled by said clock mechanism for selectively operating said latch members whereby movement of said disc members and consequent movement of the shafts, cams, and contact members for selective control of the switches is accomplished.

5. A time switch for controlling a pair of independent circuits, comprising two switches having yielding contact members, an oscillatory tubular shaft having a cam thereon cooperable with the a. second shaft oscillatable within said tubular shaft and carrying an outwardly extending cam cooperable with the contact movement of said disc .members and consequent movement of the shafts, cams, and contact members for selective control of the switches is accomplished, said latch members also being manually operable independently of clock controlled means.

BENJAMIN F. FLEGEL. 

